How can I find a shoe manufacturer?

23 Sep.,2024

 

How can I find a shoe manufacturer?

How can I find a shoe manufacturer?

So you have your design concept. You know the gap you want to fill in the footwear market, and now you want to find a shoe manufacturer who can make your designs. Finding a shoe factory seems like it should be easy, but you feel as though you are coming up against a series of brick walls.

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Your messages to footwear factories are being ignored. When you find a shoe manufacturer who seems keen, they end up ghosting you. So how do you get them to take your shoe startup seriously?

I am going to tell you some truths which might be difficult to hear, but if you want to find the right shoe factory it is better to be armed with this knowledge. In fact, by the end of reading this article, you will be in a much better position to plan your shoe factory approaches.

Here are my shoe manufacturer finding tips:

Are you ready to speak to a shoe factory?

For most shoe entrepreneurs, design is the exciting part, so you naturally want to skip straight to designing. Your next thought is &#;I need to find a shoe manufacturer now&#;. If you want to save money, time, heartache, and get shoe factories to take you seriously, you need to first assess the business opportunity. Sounds dull? It really doesn&#;t have to be.

Make sure you have explored the following areas in-depth before even beginning the design process, and definitely before approaching a footwear manufacturer:

  • Your customer &#; Who are they? What drives them to purchase shoes?
  • Your competitors &#; Of course you are planning to create something unique, so may not think you have direct competitors, but your customers are buying their shoes from somewhere. Where are they buying them?
  • Your sales model &#; How are you going to sell your products?

Still feeling a bit lost? My How to Start a Shoe Brand course guides you through the research you will need to complete to be clear on each of these elements.

What does a shoe manufacturer need to know?

Trying to get a shoe manufacturer to work with you is a bit like pitching to an investor. The shoe factory representative needs to believe in you, and your ability to develop a commercial shoe business. Some entrepreneurs are surprised when shoe makers don&#;t jump at the chance to work on their exciting project. In reality, most shoe manufacturers have worked with some difficult shoe startups in the past, and feel cautious about repeating that experience.

 

Some shoe factories simply don&#;t have the capacity &#; or perhaps the inclination &#; to work with entrepreneurs such as yourself.

A shoe factory or footwear sourcing agent is more compelled by the size of your market, than by the tiny details of your customer&#;s lifestyle. These are the elements they will be most interested in at first:

  • What your product looks like, its construction and materials
  • How many styles and colours you will require
  • Projected volumes &#; how many pairs you think you will order from them in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth seasons
  • Target cost price &#; they don&#;t need to know your retail price &#; but they do need a properly calculated target cost price to work to

If the phrase &#;projected volumes&#; fills you with horror, don&#;t worry, you are just making educated guesses. There is a startup-friendly template for this included in the How to Start a Shoe Brand course. You also get a range planning guide to help you decide how many styles and colours to start off with, and a cost price calculator for wholesale and direct to consumer pricing.

Great, but how do I find a shoe manufacturer?

You need to know which country you want to manufacture in before starting your search. This will be based on your retail and cost price.

As a rough guide:

  • Luxury or premium = Europe, USA
  • Premium or mid-market = China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico
  • Value = Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia

Of course there are many exceptions; there are luxury factories in China and mid-market factories in Cambodia etc.

LinkedIn is a good place to start. Find Sourcing is also a good option.

Should I use a sourcing agent or go direct to the factory?

The How to Start a Shoe Brand course goes into much more detail on finding a shoe manufacturer including:

  • How to decide between using a sourcing agent or working directly with a factory
  • Interviews with shoe brand founders who share their tips on how to find a good shoe factory
  • A downloadable checklist of essential points you will need to find out about a manufacturer

Happy sourcing!

Susannah

The Complete Crocs Buyer's Guide - The 'Ugly Shoe' ...

Launched in , Crocs are the marmite of the shoe world, whether you love or hate them, there is no denying they have officially made a comeback. Making it onto the catwalk,

Crocs

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is the global success story that capitalised on the &#;ugly&#; shoe trend and leveraged pop culture to make them as current as ever. 

Here is our complete Crocs guide answering your most-asked questions, including what Crocs are made of, how they fit, how to style them and more. 

What are Crocs?

Crocs

are the foam fabric, slip-on shoe that has divided opinions for the last 20 years. Known for their playful, comfort-first fashion they are often described as 'the world's ugliest shoe&#;. From avid fishers to city girls who love their bling, there is certainly not one specific target market when it comes to Crocs. 

Our Crocs Collection

 

Flat Clogs

Crocs flat clogs are renowned for their unparalleled comfort and versatility. With their distinctive design, featuring ventilated holes and a lightweight build, these clogs provide a level walking surface, making them a popular choice for a range of activities from casual outings to professional settings.

 

Platform Clogs

These on-trend clogs effortlessly combine comfort with style. Featuring a chunky platform sole, they add a fashionable twist to the classic Crocs design while providing an extra boost in height. Available in various colours, Crocs platform clogs offer a versatile and comfortable option for those looking to make a stylish statement.

 

Fur lined Clogs

Crocs fur-lined clogs offer a cosy and stylish solution for colder weather. Featuring a plush fur lining for added insulation, they retain the classic Crocs comfort with lightweight Croslite&#; material. Coming in various styles, they provide a practical and fashionable option for chilly days, ensuring your feet stay snug and comfortable.

 

Mules

Redefining casual comfort with their open-back design, Crocs mules are lightweight and cushioned shoes. Ideal for quick outings or relaxed days, these slip-on shoes effortlessly combine convenience and style with a variety of colours and patterns to choose from.

 

Sliders

These sliders are a classic lightweight open-toe style shoe. Perfect for summer days on the beach or quick outings, they are a convenient and on-trend addition to your footwear collection for those relaxed and easygoing moments.

 

Sandals

Crocs sandals redefine warm-weather comfort with their innovative design and signature Croslite&#; material. These sandals offer all-day ease, making them perfect for beach outings, pool days, or casual strolls. With various styles available, Crocs sandals effortlessly combine comfort and style for a relaxed and fashionable choice during sunny days.

 

Why are Crocs called Crocs?

Yes, the name was in fact inspired by the crocodile, the reptilian animal that can roam on land and in water. If you have ever seen Crocs in the colour green, you could argue there are some resemblances in aesthetics as well. 

What are Crocs made of?

Crocs

are made of a patented foam called Croslite, which means they can be worn on land and in water. The foam material is actually exclusive to Crocs and is a closed-cell resin, not plastic or rubber. It is odour-resistant and non-toxic and is known not to leave marks even after an extended period of wearing. Croslite resists fungal and bacterial growth too as the material is anti-microbial nature. 

The brand further innovated on Croslite in , creating LiteRide. The material is 25% lighter and 30% softer than Croslite and still provides shock absorption and support. Showing that there is actually more science behind the trusty Croc than you would assume. 

How do Crocs fit?

Crocs are true to size; there is no need to size up or down when buying a pair. They are a wide fit, designed to give you maximum comfort so even if you have a wide foot there's no need to size up. The main two types of Crocs fits are Roomy Fit and Relaxed Fit. Although both of these fits are wide designs, the Roomy Fit is the wider of the two.

Why do Crocs have 2 sizes?

Crocs come in two sizes, one for men and one for women. The M stands for Men and the W stands for W. The sizes will look like M6W7 for example, which means that it is a Men's size 6 and a women's size 7.

Crocs Size Guides

If need some more guidance on sizing make sure you take a look at the Crocs size guides.

How to clean Crocs?

The fabric that Crocs are made out of does not absorb sweat so is relatively easy to clean. Start by rinsing your Crocs and then using a mild soap and warm water, use a sponge or small brush to remove the direct. Working in circular motions, your Crocs should clean up nicely.

Styling Crocs

There are certainly no rules when it comes to Crocs styling. Some opt for them on loungewear, laid-back kind of days but others love to jazz them up and wear them as a going-out shoe. So, here's some Croc guide style inspiration...

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